Page 57 of The Scandalous Love of a Duke
‘Who sent it?’ Katherine stood and then crossed the room, feeling both shocked and anxious.
‘They did not say, miss. It came from the dressmakers in Maidstone.’
A chill raced through her veins. He would not have done this? But she took the box and pulled the string loose, before setting it on the bed. When she lifted the lid, there was another knock on the open door.
Phillip stepped in as she looked back at the door.
‘I was going to drive over to John’s and I… What’s that?’
‘I don’t know yet.’ She turned back to the parcel and tipped the lid on to the bed.
Phillip looked over her shoulder.
She glimpsed bright blue satin, and lifted the shimmering dress from its box. ‘Gracious, it is beautiful,’ she whispered. John had picked a colour that matched her eyes.
She lifted it a little and saw that the skirt sparkled with little glass beads, but the dress was not flamboyant, it was simply cut. She would blend in without appearing to overstate her position in society.Oh, John.He should not have done this and yet she loved him more for knowing she needed a dress to accept his invitation.
Phillip touched the fabric, then picked up the card which lay in the box. ‘It is from Eleanor. She says it is a gift to ensure you will have no excuse not to come to John’s gathering. She used the Maidstone dressmaker because the woman had your measurements.’
He let Katherine have the card, smiling. ‘I take it you will be going now.’
Katherine felt herself glow with happiness. ‘Yes.’
‘Good girl. Now put your bonnet on and we will drive over to Pembroke Place and accept.’
‘Really?’ She felt breathless at the prospect of seeing John. She knew the dress was from him, not Eleanor.
‘Yes, really. Hurry then.’
She laid the dress back in its box, carefully. It was the most precious thing she had ever owned. ‘I won’t be long.’
Phillip left the room with Hetty, but as Katherine hurried to put on her spencer and a bonnet she heard a cry from downstairs.
‘A dress!’
Katherine’s heart beat harder, as she swiftly tied the ribbons of her bonnet.
‘From where?’
Why must her mother spoil everything?
‘It is a gift,’ Katherine heard Phillip say as she left her bedchamber.
‘From whom?’ The voice was her father’s now, and Katherine saw them all gathered in the hall as she came downstairs. Jenny was there too, hovering beside their mother.
‘From Eleanor, Papa,’ Katherine said as she walked downstairs. ‘She knew I would have nothing to wear to John’s party.’
‘From Eleanor…’ her father repeated, his voice sceptical.
‘Yes, Papa.’
‘I read the card,’ Phillip stated. ‘I think it kind of her.’
‘To make Katherine a charity case,’ their mother bit back.
‘To give her less fortunate friend a gift,’ Phillip replied.
Please, do not make me send it back…If they did Katherine might die of embarrassment and unhappiness. She wanted to go to John’s party.
